eclectablog

Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 8:29 a.m.

Clearly most of the commenters on this article don't know the difference between "personal taxes" and "business taxes". Alma Wheeler-Smith's plan to raise the rates on personal taxes but LOWER business taxes isn't going to drive businesses away from Michigan. It's high business taxes that are likely to do that. This just proves that Republicans have managed to create a Pavlovian response to anything regarding increasing taxes, even if it's on the top 10-20% that reap the most benefits NOW from the status quo. That's not your "average Joe/Josephine". That's the super wealthy that earn the lion's share of the income in this state. They benefit the most when things are good and should be willing to kick in the most as well. In the end, ALL of us win, including the wealthy business owners.

OldGerman

Sun, Nov 29, 2009 : 10:22 p.m.

My Dear Freedomlover @ Stunhsif We don't have to be rascals about this, If you have a better idea bring it forth. I was taught to always be careful about the hand I bite, because it may be the one that will have to feed me... Stunhsif I'm pretty sure you'll get most of that money back when you file for your income tax... and some. And Freedomlover...in regards to George W. (I'm assuming that's who you meant) But then again, on the other hand... NEVER-MIND! Since you asked how did he create the recession"... I'm just going to gracefully back up and let you figure that one out...

The Grinch

Sat, Nov 28, 2009 : 1:33 p.m.

@BasicBob: First, my reply wasn't really to you. I suspect we agree more than we disagree. And you make my point for me, which is that looking at taxes and unionization in 1944 as the only reasons for prosperity or in 2009 as the only reasons for economic troubles is very simplistic. So thank-you! The fact is that, far more than have taxes and unions, the free trade mania of the last 20 years has hurt the nation's manufacturing base, perhaps irreparably. As a result, we are in a race to the bottom, not only with Mississippi, but with Hondouras and with Costa Rica. The State of Michigan has lost far fewer jobs to the "South" than it has to Mexico and to the rest of Central America. We can cut taxes all we want, disempower unions all we want, drive working class wages down all we want but, until truly fair trade agreements are reached and ENFORCED, we, as a nation, are in deep trouble enconomically. Not only are jobs fleeing this country, but so is the cash that is used to purchase all of those imported goods. The financial consequences for continuing to run these huge trade deficits are huge. BTW, one other point about South Carolina is worth noting. Boeing has just broken ground there for a plant that will employ 4000 worker to build the new 787 Dreamliner. Boeing went there, rather than to its Pacific NW home due to the fact that SC is a "right to work" state (BTW: what a term that is! "Right to be among the working poor" describes it better). But the Wall Street Journal (not exactly an icon of left-wing commentary) noted that there is concern that Boeing will not be able to find in SC the highly educated and skilled workforce needed for the production line and that such concern has kept other manufacturers from locating in the state. So, yes, low taxes are nice, as is a pliant work force. But if the state cannot provide the educated and highly skilled work force necessary for the high tech information-based 21st century economy, taxes and anti-union laws won't matter.

Basic Bob

Sat, Nov 28, 2009 : 11:41 a.m.

@David Fitzpatrick, it is simplistic to compare 1944 with 2009 and state that a 94% tax rate and more union jobs will not hurt the economy. In 1944, there were no imported goods from China, Japan, India, or even Mexico. Today we compete with all of these countries for jobs. During World War II, all of the goods, as well as the means of production were produced here. When manufacturers in this country stopped buying American made parts and machinery to save a few nickels, there were less skilled jobs for machinists and engineers. Those people who were working were not spending their hard-earned money on disposable junk. As long as our economy is run with short-term benefits in mind, there will be no improvement. I am not an anti-tax extremist. We already pay property, sales, and income taxes. There should be some balance between the three without needing a complicated progressive income tax. And there needs to be some focus on where the money is spent, understanding that a dollar spent on welfare or prisons is a dollar withheld from education.

larry

Sat, Nov 28, 2009 : 6:13 a.m.

It's interesting -- EVERY idea proposed by these Democratic politicians has included some form of added TAXES. I think we should label them as the DemoTAXtic Party.

Dan Rubenstein

Sat, Nov 28, 2009 : 12:47 a.m.

I have never been impressed with Alma Wheeler Smith before, but this proposal piques my interest. I will be keeping a closer eye on her in future. Her proposal has many aspects to recommend it -- it is progressive, lowers taxes on business (despite what some here perversely assert), and invests in education. The alternative is a race to the bottom as public services are decimated. This is the right, just way to avoid that. As for practicality, the main ones who may be hurt are the highest earners, who will not leave lucrative jobs and/or the state to avoid this amount of taxation. This is not, despite what you read in these biased comments, a minority view. I wish Ms. Smith the best of fortune with her proposal and future service.

The Grinch

Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 9:53 p.m.

To stuhisf: You are correct, I am a professional educator so, of course, I don't know what I'm talking about. But having spent 25 years in the Army before I entered my second career, and having spent much of that time at bases in the South, I can tell you that I have seen the societies created by mindlessly low taxes. But you may get what you wish for, a race to the bottom so that we can be like Mississippi. Funny that you cite South Carolina. According to US Census data, in 2008 it was 43rd of 50 states in per capita tax burden (http://www.census.gov/govs/statetax/05staxrank.html). It is a right to work state. Yet today it has the 5th highest unemployment rate in the nation (http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm). Low taxes and "right to work" apparently aren't working in SC. By comparison, the nation's lowest unemployment rate came in June 1944 at 1.2%. The top tax rate was 94% (where it remained until 1964)and roughly 1/3 of the nation's work force was unionized, the highest percentage in the nation's history. So much for high taxes and unions causing unemployment. The problems in Michigan (and in the nation) are far more complex than "right to work" and low taxes. There are no silver bullets here and, if we think and act like there are, our state is doomed to become the next Mississippi.

stunhsif

Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 8:30 p.m.

To David Fitzpatrick, It is obvious that you are not a business owner or work in the private sector, from your eamil's you appear to be in education. Business's do care about the quality of workers available but that is not the number one priority as you seem to state as fact. The primary drivers are taxes, right to work laws, logistics and other basic "costs of doing business". Companies can draw in workers from other states if they cannot find ones in their own state, this happens all the time. States like MS,TN,TX,NC,SC are kicking our butt and taking job's that once were here in Michigan and their public school system's have been no where near as good as ours over the past 50 years. So what you are saying simply does not make sense. Why have these companies moved to other states? Dah, lower taxes, right to work states ( meaning union's won't be able to kill the goose that lays the golden egg) and an available work force that is happy to make a reasonable wage for an honest day's work.

ypsiman

Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 7:59 p.m.

Its always so easy to say higher taxes, from where, i ask its time to remove these people from office.They have lost touch with the world.They dont have a clue how people are just getting by.Alma Wheeler Smith time for you to come back to earth and look at what you have done, or just smile and say more taxes

The Grinch

Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.

What? Anti-tax zealots neither reading nor attempting to understand the porposal? I'm shocked, SHOCKED!!!

Terrin

Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 12:56 a.m.

I don't necessarily agree with the proposal, but some of you people do not seem to read or at least take any time to understand the matter. First, the proposal would eliminate the 22 percent business tax thereby aiding struggling businesses. Second, 80 percent of people would pay the same or less of regular income tax. Third, the sales tax would go down for general purchases, but increase for services that largely are not taxed now [e.g. getting your hair cut]. Overall a good portion of the State would pay less in taxes. The people most effected by the proposal are the people who feel the economic downturn the least. The reality is the State has to get money from somewhere. It can do it by raising taxes for those least able to pay or by passing the tax on to the five percent of the State's income makers who are least likely to feel any substantial pain from the proposal. It is always interesting when people ridicule an idea without offering alternate solutions.

foreigner

Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 8:44 p.m.

"John Dingell....Then he sat quietly while the current president and Congress took the American auto industry apart." Take note people, "HappySenior" would like you to believe that the auto industry was taken apart beginning January 21, 2009. Right... For the record, I agree with most of you and don't like Smith's ideas. But for God's sake, turn off Fox News.

The Grinch

Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 4:37 p.m.

Actually, Basic Bob, businesses are far more concerned about the quality of the state's elementary, secondary, and higher edcuations systems, about the quality of the state's physical infrastructure, and about the quality of basic government services (e.g., fire and police) than they are about low taxes. There are states with higher taxes rates than ours whose economies are not doing nearly so poorly. Low taxes alone are not the silver bullet. Ms. Wheeler-Smith's talking about investing in welfare obscures the fact that we need to invest in all those noted above if we wish to pull Michigan out of the economic black hole in which it finds itself. We have been disinvesting in all of these for the last decade. Cutting taxes means reducing revenue even more, which means disinvesting even more. This is the road to perdition, not to recovery. (Note to those who think cutting taxes increase revenue: go read up on the Laffer Curve. We have long since reached the crossover point where cutting taxes increases revenue. We are now at the point and have been for some time where cutting taxes reduces revenue) It is time to stop the race to the bottom. Oliver Wendell Holmes, a realtively conservative Republican jurist, once said that "Taxes are the price we pay for civilization." It is time for the citizens of Michigan to decide whether they want to be part of the 21st century or part of the 19th. As for Top Cat's assertion that politics "hit a new low" through the discussion of taxes and welfare: nonsense. Oh that we had more politicians who had the bravery to tell us things that we do not want to hear, who were willing to take unpopular stands, who did not put their finger into the political wind to see which way it was blowing, who were willing to lose elections for doing what they believed to be the right thing. Whether or not one agrees with her ideas, we all ought to admire her bravery for adressing so unpopular a topic. Politics reaches it low point when politicians pander to our fears, to our anger, and to our prejudices. This is not that.

Basic Bob

Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 12:20 p.m.

@Sandman, it seems like the harshest insult one can use in Washtenaw County is to call someone a Republican. Although the majority of our elected officials are members of the Democratic Party, there is a range of opinion on how we view our situation and solve our problems. Some may be confused on how socially liberal Democrats can also be fiscally conservative. If one values the right to vote, the Democratic primary election is typically the only one contested here. My personal opinion is that this tax idea will scare off many businesses and educated people that we need in order to rebuild the Michigan economy. The mobile middle class will be tempted to go someplace else, leaving us with a Walmart economy.

Sandman

Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 9:45 a.m.

I accuse you "so-called" Ann Arbor Democrats of actually being closet Republicans and all you come back with is my poor recollection of the time-line of the Great Depression. I guess it's true. Actual dates in history do not always make a profound difference of events, but if the Federal and State government continue to cut local revenue sharing, we had better come up with a way of creating local funding or the majority of us will end up working for Walmart. The "Rich" and the "Poor", no middle class, sounds like your goal. At least Alma Wheeler Smith is daring to present drastic affordable change to this Ann Arbor area of wealth.

stunhsif

Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 8:32 a.m.

FreedomLover, Right on regarding "OldGerman"'s comments. I think OldGerman was spoofing us and trying to get us jigged up. No one can be that misguided and wrong headed. As FreedomLover said OldGerman, send some more of your money to the Government on my behalf, I don't have any left after already giving them almost 40%.

FreedomLover

Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 1:21 a.m.

Old German, Why don't you donate a little extra of your money to the government since you seem to think they know better how to spend it than you do. Please send a little in for me too! HappySenior, Well Said!

Arno B

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 8:30 p.m.

"We created a nightmare" admits Alphabet Smith of her co-conspirators in Lansing. Well - I guess she's correct and thus part of the problem. She was obviously unaware or unwilling to do anything about the deficit snowball until too late - following in Granholm's wake. We sure don't need another one like her - at least term limits are doing their job! Her proposals to loot more of the taxpayers while juggling assorted "credits" would solve nothing - just more of the same. Oh well - If she departs from the political scene she will still have more than most of the rest of us: Lifetime medical benefits after two terms in office!

The Picker

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 7:52 p.m.

Trying to tax your way to Prosperity is like standing in a bucket and trying to lift yourself by the handle

Mark F

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 12:57 p.m.

Let's cut tax rates in order to promote prosperity. Eventually this will lead to tax revenue increases. Meanwhile, CUT SPENDING!

bunnyabbot

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.

"The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - Margaret Thatcher

RGeorgeDunn

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.

"A heavy or progressive or graduated income tax is necessary for the proper development of Communism." - Karl Marx

bunnyabbot

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.

All I remember is in the 80's people seemed to have money. I remember those look for the label for made in america commercials with barbara mandrell. Now its difficult to find stuff made in america, and you NEVER see those commercials. Why, because it would upset our free trade partners. Kinda why with the cash for clunkers program it wasn't specific to US made cars (to do so would upset the Japanese auto makers who BENEFITTED from this tax payer program). The only way you will create jobs in America is to create an maintain an enviorment where business can open, thrive and grow. Taxing them takes the top off the profits, which would otherwise go towards expanding, developing and hiring. additionally, as someone pointed out the Democratic congress and the Obama administraition is spending out of control. The O has already out spent Bush and Clinton (with dollars adjusted to same year values) THAT is really scary. As someone pointed out to me yesterday, national health care would be only available to citizens. However on the agenda within the next year or so is to give amnesty to 15 million illegal aliens and make them citizens. (Wham! free gov't health care)

HappySenior

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:35 a.m.

Why do so many people fail to understand the working of the US government. I thought Civics was a required class in public school. It is Congress that spends money. The White House signs or vetoes what Congress passes. The president doesn't spend money, unless you are talking about this president who has directly meddled in the private sector and "bailed out" his voter and campaign contributor base. Look to John Dingell for one major source of the woes in this State. As chairman of Energy and Commerce, he befriended the auto industry and sheltered them from the realities of free markets. Then he sat quietly while the current president and Congress took the American auto industry apart. The wrong thinking of auto companies hurt Michigan. The current president hurt Michigan more. John Dingell assisted them both. John Dingell is also waiting and maneuvering to take more money from the taxpayers through increased health care costs, increased taxes to pay for cap and trade, increased taxes to pay for the bailouts and the stimulus, and whatever else the Democrats have planned. When a government is looking to increase revenues, there are two approaches. One is to raise the tax rates. Governments institute or increase fees, penalties, new taxes. They tinker with deductions, tax credits, and "assessments." They add a new line in the tax form that wants you to pay a sales tax on out-of-state purchases on the web. They don't call all the new charges a tax, but the effect is the same---the money is coming out of the pocket of workers. The other way to increase revenue to the government is to increase the tax base. Why do Democrats never consider that option. Michigan needs to increase the tax base. We need more companies and more jobs. The answer is JOBS. Governor Granholm limited her search and tax relief to only the companies that met her six pillar criteria. She was wrong. Michigan should look to all types of businesses. Michigan is a manufacturing giant. Michigan is a research giant. Michigan is an agricultural giant. Michigan is a tourist giant. Let's welcome the social media, film, and alternate energy companies, but let's spend more effort in seeking out other industries as well. And let's stop giving tax breaks so large that the State is not collecting any tax. No State can tax their way to prosperity. We need smaller government that takes care of the basics and works with businesses to create more JOBS. If we want to consider an overhaul of the Michigan tax structure, we should give serious consideration to the Fair Tax (www.fairtax.org). The Fair Tax targets consumption and not labor. That should appeal to all the people who think those who have worked hard and succeeded should pay more. Wealthy people buy more and would pay more in taxes under the Fair Tax. The Fair Tax is paid at the retail level on goods and services by everyone who buys in the State, resident and non-resident, legal and illegal, tourists and truckers, students and retiree. That means more people would be paying taxes to Michigan. There are crucial elections taking place in 2010 at both the State and national levels. It's time for all of us to ask hard questions of the candidates and then look at what their ideas will do to create JOBS, overhaul the bloated and job-killing tax structure, and reduce government deficits.

Rork Kuick

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:06 a.m.

Part of it I like. I favor a graduated income tax, and am astonished it is currently flat - were the average people asleep when that happened? Flat income taxes and high sales taxes punish lower-income (struggling) families more - properly done it will reduce their taxes, and may reduce taxes for most folks commenting here. Top income tax rate could be tuned anyway you want, first we need the ability to tune it at all. Income tax could even be made revenue neutral if you wanted. I'm less convinced of big impacts of trickle-down theories with regards to income taxes. I think I like the idea of paying more of kids tuitions too, though I was hoping for a national solution there, a bit like some European countries, and it is a separate issue (that we likely aren't ready to deal with). I don't see why it or business tax changes need to be coupled to changes in our state income tax laws. One subject at a time might be better.

Alan Benard

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 8:46 a.m.

"'invest in welfare' - wowsers... What's that investment's PE ratio;)"Starving people don't live under bridges. Familes don't live in cars. Talented children don't languish in crappy schools. Junkies don't kick in your door and steal your stuff.

Alan Benard

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 8:44 a.m.

Alma Wheeler Smith has it exactly right. Smith for Governor. Of course, our corrupt state Democratic machine will shove the ineffectual Cherry down our throats.

OldGerman

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 3:02 a.m.

My Dear Fellow citizens Let's face it, the Busch administration and their oil-barrons associates has robbed this country almost bone dry. Under their adminstration the world economy had literarily collapsed, and it's barely recovering. People are riding and buying foreign cars that are the size of go-carts or they're riding tiny mopads, and if you look a little closer you may observe that many of your neighbors have lost their homes. And in some areas throughout the State they're actually living in tents! Many families can no longer afford to pay for their children education. People... We ARE in a financial crises! I applaud Governor Candidate Alma Wheeler Smith. In Lansing and throughout the State she is highly respected by Democrats and Republicans alike, for her integrity, truthfulness, courage,honesty, innovativeness and effectiveness. She have peronally put together a bill that would allow our kids to go to college free, just like they're doing in Kalamazoo! These are some facts and attributes about her that I guarantee you want get out of any of the other candidates. But what I will gurantee you is that they will tell you what you want to hear until they get into office, and then they will drop you like a hot potato. It's time to face the facts, we CANNOT AFFORD to be stuck in our old ways and ideas. Raising taxes is not only necessary, but it is also patriotic. If you do your research you will see that Michigan is one of the few States that have the lowest taxes in the Nation. It's not a question of rather or not if we want to raise taxes, we got to! If we are to maintain our standard of living and prosper, change has got to be implemented If we choose to strife among each other and ignore the reality, there is a good chance that we may lose out on the last opportunity to save our lively-hood,our children future,and last but not least, our dignity... I love the State of Michigan, and Washtenaw County. I'm going to do my civic duty (and I hope others do the same) by supporting MI Governor Candidate Alma Wheeler Smith, including supporting the measly few percentage tax increase that NEEDS to be imposed to SAVE our State's economy..

FreedomLover

Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 2:39 a.m.

@Sandman - I beleive the depression was in the 1930's. Besides skipping your history classes I guess you skipped your government classes also. The President cannot spend a dime without Congress appropriating it. The last time I checked the liberal Democrats controlled congress and the out of control spending. How exactly did President Bush create the recession?

The Grinch

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 10:30 p.m.

Republicans in this state have been cutting taxes for 20 years. How well has that worked out?

mmill10227

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 9:38 p.m.

Well there you go! We will tax our state into prosperity!

aa3lw

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 9:23 p.m.

@ YpsiLivin Politics is this lady's family business This couldnt be more accurate. Alma is running for governor and her daughter-in-law, Rebekah Warren, is running for the Ann Arbor Senate seat. We need to stop this family from bankrupting Washtenaw County! The last thing struggling families need right now is increased taxes! Alma and Rebekah need to get in touch with reality and the burdens that we are feeling. Sorry, Alma and Rebekah, but not all of us are in the political elite family. We need a new direction for Washtenaw County!

ChrisW

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 9:14 p.m.

Every time I swear off one party for being idiotic the other party one ups them.

OverTaxed

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 9:12 p.m.

Why don't we start with Ms. Smith. She and the others have not done the job we pay them for, keeping our economy up. I do not want to hear any excuse why, they do not want to here them from me at work. We pay her and the others for that, period. So the first way to lower the budget, cut her and the other's pay. That is first and foremost. Then we work our way through the ranks. Maybe performance based raises would have kept this mess from happening, instead of votig money to themselves after failing. Maybe fixing the trade imbalance, wasteful spending, etc should have been on their list. Instead special interests always get paid first. Enough.!

stunhsif

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 8:52 p.m.

Dear Alma Wheeler Smith, On behalf of all Michigan taxpayers I want to thank you for your honest, misguided thinking about wanting to raise our state taxes. By doing this, you will ensure that a Republican will be our next govenor, and perhaps then, we can begin to turn this state around.

aajeff

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 8:49 p.m.

Clearly, many of the politicians of Alma Smith's ilk could not possibly live in the same world that I do. Her proposal for higher taxes couldn't come at a worse time. We all could use a reduction in taxes, NOT an increase!!!By the way, this obsession to tax those that they think can "afford it" will only result in a further decline in population in Michigan. Folks WILL leave this State in droves if they are taxed at 9.75% and those of us left will be the only ones carrying the burden of paying for the outrageous spending that politicians are unwilling to get under control.....Thank goodness for term limits!

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 8:38 p.m.

what is most tragic about democrat's/liberal's concept of capitalism is their insistence on damaging/punishing the successful rather than inventing incentives for the successful to voluntarily do the good work in their respective geography, which, i agree needs to be done and can only be done by the successful, not the beaten-up, and not the legislature. hello? - tax policy can (but doesn;t) reward individual/corporate charity sufficiently, imnsho. hey, lansing! grow carrots; burn your sticks. start now. then, 'investing in welfare' (yikes!) might generate returns.

YpsiLivin

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 8:05 p.m.

Politics is this lady's family business. When she runs out of road in the state House next year, we should introduce this lady to the concept of retirement. "Term limits" is voter-speak for Go find something else to do.

Mr. DB

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 7:35 p.m.

Haha - She is right. Raise the damn taxes. This state is heading for disaster unless they overhaul the whole tax structure. Tax breaks here and there and yet no new companies that can actually employ 10,000 people is moving to MI? There must be something wrong about MI that we do not know. And for those of you business owners who oppose, your business will fail anyway if there is no one living in the state due to a broke government.

rwshas

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 7:23 p.m.

Children are running our State. Vote them out.

scooter dog

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 6:42 p.m.

Raise taxes,Dream on lady.Not in this economy will that ever fly.I've been in business for myself for 16 yrs and my business is almost non-existant so keep on rasing taxes and I and lots of other real small business will relocate in another state.

The Picker

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 6:13 p.m.

She is and they are, killing the goose that lays the golden eggs

braggslaw

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 5:36 p.m.

Great plan, let's drive out all the businesses and people who generate wealth so we can invest in entitlement programs. Sheesh, those days are over. We need to attract businesses and people who create jobs, not drive them away to support ill concieved social welfare programs. Do not kill the golden goose.

Sandman

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 5:36 p.m.

I mean 1940s...oh well, nobody's perfect.

Sandman

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 5:34 p.m.

You, so called Ann Arbor Democrats, are showing your true colors. I knew this was a Republican town in disguise and you have truly taken off your masks. Let the few well-off kick in a little bit more, at least until we get out of this "Bush" created recession that has been compared to the depression in the 1040s.

MjC

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 5:20 p.m.

And this is why I'll cross party lines and vote for a Republican governor next election.

dading dont delete me bro

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:29 p.m.

alma wheeler smith is my hero, she IS NOT in touch with reality. "risk falling into perpetual poverty" what the heck, sure she's got a job, most of us have taken cuts and are tettering on the "risk of falling into perpetual poverty" without her suggstions. nice to spend other's money...FAIL.

Eric64

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:26 p.m.

If you people want to contact her. Info@almaformichigan.com Let her know what you really think of her policies she wants to do.Or call her @734 544-4613

11GOBLUE11

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:25 p.m.

'invest in welfare' - wowsers... What's that investment's PE ratio;)

Macabre Sunset

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:20 p.m.

Fairly soon, the only people who will be able to afford anything nice in Michigan will be the people who have no income.

bruceae

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:19 p.m.

Thanks for the info treetowncartel. I didn't think anyone could do a worse job as governor than Jenny but I think we have a worse one here.

bunnyabbot

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:11 p.m.

if you continue to raise taxes on the people who are left that can actually pay them that pool of people will shrink down as they become less "wealthy" or they just leave the state. as a small business owner of 12 years I can say without a doubt that the last 12 months have been the worst ever as far as gross sales. Oct 08 was the begining of the decline, I can say when it became evident Obama would win the orders just stopped coming in and people closed up their wallets. raising taxes will send us into perpetual poverty.

treetowncartel

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:09 p.m.

She can't run again due to term limits, which explains why she is looking to run for governor. Look to your current board of county commissioners for her replacement.

bruceae

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 4:03 p.m.

The sad part of this is that she is crazy enough to actually think this is a solution. I can't believe we don't have anyone in this county that can run for this position the next election and do a better job than her?